Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

2 Corinthians 4:16

My knees hurt whenever I go up and down the stairs. In my heart, I know it’s going to get worse. Growing older, with all its physical and emotional challenges, takes courage.

United with Jesus Christ, we have that inner courage to carry the cross that comes with aging. Consider what Jesus said, “Abide in me, and I in you” (John 15: 4). Our Lord gives us the gift of himself so that we may partake in his divine life.

We share in our Lord’s divinity by offering up ourselves — including our aches and pains — to God. No matter our age, our lives have purpose. Carrying our cross with Christ, we participate in our Lord’s work of salvation — ours and the whole world!

Carol Monaco
Bethesda, MD

Dear Lord, help me to abide in you as you abide in me, renewing me with your love. Amen.

Reflect: Draw closer to Jesus. Make a daily offering of yourself to our Lord.

Read: Isaiah 46:4 and John 21:15-19